Bastian Schweinsteiger’s TV career seems almost over in 2021. But after the EM trouble, the ex-kicker can continue to work for ARD and is now in World Cup form. On Sunday, the ex-world champion experienced his first final with a microphone in his hand.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has achieved an amazing transformation. In contrast to the German national soccer players, the former captain in Qatar is in World Cup form, and now he is experiencing his first final with a microphone in his hand on Sunday. This was not necessarily to be expected after the EM appearance, which failed in many respects. Because the career as a TV expert for ARD was almost over a year and a half ago. At the first, some had already lowered their thumbs. This was not due to the overly good-looking assessments of the ex-professional alongside Jessy Wellmer, but to the sending of an advertising message.
The prominent employee had “published a post on social media during the half-time break without our knowledge as part of a paid advertising partnership” during the EM game between Ukraine and England,” it said at the time. The broadcaster “made it very clear that ARD, in accordance with its guidelines do not tolerate any form of surreptitious advertising and unidentified product placement of their protagonists”.
After this warning and an apology, Schweinsteiger was allowed to continue and go to the World Cup. And in Qatar, the former footballer presents himself from a different side. Just as he had emancipated himself on the lawn from the former fun duo “Poldi” and “Schweini” and became the bleeding World Cup captain, so he changed in front of the cameras from a supporting actor giving off generalities to an analyst with bite.
“It’s like football, you can always improve,” Schweinsteiger told the German Press Agency before the World Cup. “I’m trying to improve from show to show.” The change became particularly clear after the games of the German team. Schweinsteiger delivered a devastating verdict on the two unlucky Dortmund defenders Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck. Schweinsteiger seemed appalled by the blunders and also explicitly pointed out tactical misconduct by David Raum and Leon Goretzka.
Since starting his new job two years ago, Schweinsteiger has never been as clear with a German player as he was with Süle: “It’s a classic, really serious defensive error.” And even after the end against Costa Rica, he spoke plainly: “I’m really disappointed and shocked how it went.”
Schweinsteiger has received training and obviously also benefits from his new ARD partner. Esther Sedlazcek is clear and straight in the interviews, and was not lulled by national coach Hansi Flick or by DFB director Oliver Bierhoff, who has since resigned. Just like Schweinsteiger in his biggest games, the journalist didn’t give up and continued courageously.
There was praise for this from numerous television critics, but also from the boss. “The two have found a very good way to be journalistic and entertaining at the same time,” commented ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky. “Especially in the German games, Bastian gave his profound assessment of the performance and the reasons for the German failure very clearly.” And to Sedlazcek, the sports director of the first said: “Esther confronted those responsible fairly, but clearly with the questions that we all asked ourselves at that moment. Very journalistic in the best sense.”
Schweinsteiger’s contract as an ARD expert ends this year. “I don’t know how long I want to do this,” said the ex-professional. “But what I do, being close to football, I like.”